On Inspiration: Interview with Weina Dai Randel

I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Weina Dai Randel to Triclinium. Weina’s first novel, The Moon in the Palace was nominated for Best Historical Fiction of 2016 by Goodreads Choice Awards. She is the author of two historical novels about Empress Wu, the one and only female ruler in China. The two novels will be translated into six languages. Born and raised in China, Weina came to the U.S. at the age of twenty-four. She has worked as a journalist, a magazine editor, and an adjunct professor. Find more about Weina on her television interview,The Wall Street Journal China blog, Library Journal, The Huffington Post, and other publications. You can connect with Weina via Facebook, Twitter or visit her website.

What or who inspired you to first write? Which authors have influenced you?

I’ve dreamed to be an author since I was a kid, so it’s hard to say who inspired me to first write. But I can tell you many fine authors influenced me. Among them are Geradine Brooks, Arthur Golden, Mary Stewart, Anita Diamant, and Ken Follett.

What is the inspiration for your current book? Is there a particular theme you wished to explore?

My current work deviates from my Empress Wu series. It was inspired by true events that happened during my childhood. I wish I could tell you more but it’s not finished yet. I am interested in many topics and themes, such as adventure stories, female friendship, strong female’s journey, family stories, and I hope to explore all of them in the future if possible. If not, then I hope I’ll just focus on women and their lives in and outside China.

What period of history particularly inspires or interests you? Why?

To me, the period of time is not as important as the historical figure or the event itself. If I find a historical figure, or an unusual event that occurred in history, that is worth noting or intrigues me, I’ll explore the time period. With that said, I’m always fascinated about the time of King Arthur in Great Britain, Tang Dynasty in China, and the era of Julius Caesar and Augustus in ancient Rome.

What resources do you use to research your book? How long did it take to finish the novel?

It took me ten years to write and publish The Moon in the Palace, so you can see I did an insane amount of research. I bought many Chinese poetry, paintings, and history books in China fifteen years ago before I immigrated to the United States, so they came handy. I also purchased books on Amazon and looked for books in my local library. Usually the library wouldn’t have them, as topics regarding China and its history were not popular, so I borrowed them through Interlibrary Loan. I also visited museums whenever I could to study Asian artefacts, but I have to confess that so far I haven’t found a museum whose collections of Asian art impressed me.

What do you do if stuck for a word or a phrase?

I want to say I just leave it and move on, but it doesn’t always happen this way – sometimes I found myself got stuck over a word and thought hard to find it or replace it, by the time for me to stop, an hour was wasted. I think next time I’ll just check Facebook instead.

Is there anything unusual or even quirky that you would like to share about your writing?

I can only write when I sit in front of my computer in my study. I cannot write in a cafeteria, a hotel, or a car, or use a laptop. Words feel differently to me if I leave my study and computer.

Do you use a program like Scrivener to create your novel? Do you ever write in long hand?

I don’t use Scrivener; I use the plain, old fashioned MS word. I do sometimes write in long hand, especially when I write poetry, but most of time I write short hand.

Is there a particular photo or piece of art that strikes a chord with you? Why?

When I was writing The Moon in the Palace and The Empress of Bright Moon, I loved to study ancient Chinese landscape paintings and also paintings about domestic lives. They were inspirational and offered a comprehensive study of nature and human life different from the contemporary world.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

More writing, less talking about writing, maybe? And just keep writing, don’t give up. And read. Reading is very important.

Tell us a little more about your The Empress of Bright Moon series.

The Moon in the Palace is the first of the series. It was just nominated for Best Historical Fiction of 2016 by Goodreads Choice Awards. I feel so honored. The series are historical novels about Empress Wu, also known as Wu Zetian, the one and only female emperor in China.

Many people call Empress Wu the Chinese Cleopatra for her beauty, seductiveness, intelligence, and also her unrivalled power as the only woman who ruled the country. These two novels, telling the fascinating tale of her rise to power, have received excellent reviews. I hope you’ll check them out.

A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the Emperor’s attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. Young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the Emperor a gift he can never forget. Mei’s intelligence and curiosity, the same traits that make her an outcast among the other concubines, impress the Emperor. But just as she is in a position to seduce the most powerful man in China, divided loyalties split the palace in two, culminating in a perilous battle that Mei can only hope to survive. In the breakthrough first volume in the Empress of Bright Moon duology, Weina Dai Randel paints a vibrant portrait of ancient China–where love, ambition, and loyalty can spell life or death–and the woman who came to rule it all.

“The Moon in the Palace depicts Empress Wu’s sharp, persistent spirit but does not neglect to make her believably naive and vulnerable, an untried girl among ruthless women.” – Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

“This is a very successful and transporting novel that beautifully captures the sounds, smells and social mores of 7th-century China.” – Historical Novels Review, Editor’s Choice

“Readers will be transported by the colorful, fairy-tale-like story.” – RT Book Reviews, Top Pick, 4-1/2 stars

“I absolutely loved Weina Dai Randel’s The Moon in the Palace, which is a truly immersive experience and a rare and beautiful treasure. All I want now is to read the next novel!” – Elizabeth Chadwick, NYT Bestselling author

“The Moon in the Palace depicts Empress Wu’s sharp, persistent spirit but does not neglect to make her believably naive and vulnerable, an untried girl among ruthless women.” – Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

“This is a very successful and transporting novel that beautifully captures the sounds, smells and social mores of 7th-century China.” – Historical Novels Review, Editor’s Choice

“Readers will be transported by the colorful, fairy-tale-like story.” – RT Book Reviews, Top Pick, 4-1/2 stars

“I absolutely loved Weina Dai Randel’s The Moon in the Palace, which is a truly immersive experience and a rare and beautiful treasure. All I want now is to read the next novel!” – Elizabeth Chadwick, NYT Bestselling author

Many thanks for joining me on Triclinium, Weina. Congrats on the Goodreads Choice Awards nomination! I also took ten years to write my first book, The Wedding Shroud, so I understand how exciting it must be to now see your novels enjoyed by so many readers.

Elisabeth Storrs is the author of the Tales of Ancient Rome. Learn more at www.elisabethstorrs.com.
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